Table of Contents
Cracked Heel Remedies
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Athlete's Foot and other fungal infections are common causes of the cracked, painful, and even bleeding skin that strikes us most often on the souls and in the heels of the feet. Diabetes and other disorders that disrupt proper circulation can cause the skin to dry out through lack of hydration. Likewise, it might just be a genetic inheritance from our families that leaves us with dry skin, or the habits we've picked up in socks, sandals, shoes, and walking about in the world that affect the health of our skin.
Whatever the cause, improved hydration and perhaps increased circulation in the affected areas are your typical goals on the path to a cure and much welcomed relief!
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
TRICIA'S CRACKED HEEL REMEDIES
[YEA] 09/25/2009: Tricia from Ireland writes: "To Deirdre Re cracked heels. I have had great success with the following -
Before you put your feet in any liquids use an emery board to remove any dry flaky skin. Your feet MUST be dry for this. Wet skin will only move with the emery board not fall away. The type of emery board is important. Here we use the black style. The types for nails that come in different colors i.e. pink blue etc. The reason you don't want to use the metal ones or the one designed specifically for the feet that are like cheese graters is that they are too hard and pull too much skin at once from what is already a very dry area. Think of how they would leave the cheese looking. I always recommend that this can be done while watching the telly or listening to the radio cos you can't damage yourself with these as you can with the metal type. Try to get the hard bit on the edge of the cracks without making yourself sore. You will be very surprised at the amount of dust that you will see coming away from your skin but this is normal. The brown old fashioned emery boards are too gentle and the black ones are perfect. When the dust stops flying move to the next part. If you are getting sore at all you have done enough for the day. More will come off tomorrow.
Rinse that dust off your feet as while it is blocking your pores you will absorb nothing transdermally. And it should only be dust, if you see larger bits of skin the emery board is too strong for you. At this stage you can soak your feet in any liquid of your choice i.e. anti-fungal, vinegar, peroxide or oils or salts for as long as suits you. Doing this with a couple of sports clubs some of the men chose to do it with plain old washing up liquid (detergent). So it is a case of whatever suits you. Use antiseptics or peroxide if there is any chance of an infection or dirt being caught in the cracks as it may close over the dirt and cause a diferent problem.
Then this is most important. Pack the cracks with some kind of thick oil. Our choice at the time we did this was vaseline but some would not choose this because of the petrolatum issue. Whatever you use press it over the crack to ensure that it has gone in the full depth. These cracks cannot heal while they are dry. If you had an operation on your stomach and the skin dried out to the same extent it would not heal either. We usually put large medical issue bandages over them to keep the vaseline on the feet.This won't suit everyone so a cotton pair of socks will do. The people we did this with all had to walk home so bandages were needed to keep the vaeline well packed. Wash next day as normal and leave bandage off. You want your feet fairly dry to repeat the process the next evening.
Remember it will be easy to slip on the floor until this is washed off. Do the same the next evening and continue til necessary tapering the amount of times done as they heal.
This worked within 3 days for some and some took approx 2 weeks. But it makes sense that the hard skin needs to go and the skin to be wet for the cracks to knit together.
As for the fungal infection. Many people will only treat the area that they can see the infection on. The human eye cannot see all of a fungal infection so if it spreading nor can they see it when it is at the last stages of treatment so it is very important to treat outside the area and for a lot longer that you can see it or feel it. My husband picks up an athletes foot while he is travelling for business on a regular basis. He never feels it but we can see it between his toes. We only know he has it when I catch it because I get the itching and burning long before I can see it. We use a providone iodine antiseptic wash which is normally used for pre-operation swabs in a footbath then antifungal medicated creams. Because he gets the moccassin type we bathe and cream his feet up to the ankles. I only get the moccassin type around the toe area so I only need to cover the shoe area. This is a long winded way of telling you how to do it but it actually doesn't take long perform it. The longest part of it is how long you choose to soak you feet and it is our tried and tested method."
EC: Fantastic, thank you so much!
Deirdre
09/26/2009: Tricia from Ireland replies: "One thing that I forgot to say in my previous post is to mark your nail file in some manner i.e. nail polish. Make it obvious so that you never use it on your finger nails or that somebody else might use it inappropriately. If you are carrying an infection of any kind (and most people do) it will be transferred to the fingers. The nail file can be cleaned with peroxide or rubbing alcohol but the dust is so minute and nail files are not easy to fully clean without a steriliser. So make sure it is kept for YOUR feet. As we say in Ireland "to be sure, to be sure"."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 07/27/2008: Jonna from NYC, NY, USA writes: "1:30am, Saturday Night: I read AC from West Midlands, England's post about using Garlic for Athlete's foot a few days ago and was eager to try it. I have had athlete's foot on and off for years. I also have deeply etched cracked heals which I understand is possibly a fungal infection. And then recently the skin around my right big toe started to peel and looks nasty as can be. I tried the best OTC for Athlete's Foot, but with limited success. Takes 5 days to go away and then comes back a couple weeks later.
We had just run out of garlic, so I opted instead for another powerful anti-fungal, Wild Oil of Oregano. I use OO for coughs and sinus infections and had about 15 capsules left. Before going to sleep, I punctured a capsule of oil and rubbed it over both of my feet, especially concentrating it on my big toe, in between my toes where the athelete's foot itched and the cracks on my heals. I put socks on so the oil wouldn't get all over the sheets. It doesn't smell bad at all -- much better than garlic for sure!
Just like AC reported, there was dramatic improvement by the morning! The infection around my big toe was 50% better... The blisters in between my toes had disappeared. The cracks in my heals have started to seal and are unbelievably soft... (I had been rubbing shea butter on the cracks every night, which helped, but not to this extent).
I did the Oregano oil 3 morning and night for 2 days, took a day off. The infection around my big toe is all but gone. No more peeling skin. The cracks on my heels continue to slowly improve. Tonight I switched to Grapefruit Seed Extract and my feet, normally cold, warmed up right away. This may be a great remedy for those suffering from cold hands and feet. My feet are still tinglingly warm 2 hours after applying the GSE.
I have the feeling that the GSE will work just as well as the Oregano Oil. I also am trying the GSE on my perioral dermatitis and will report back any improvements. I can tell you that the itchy postules around my nose have disappeared. I had to wash off the GSE after about 20 minutes because it started to burn."
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ANTIFUNGAL FOOT CREAM, OLIVE OIL
[YEA] 05/06/2008: Kay writes: "I had bad cracked heals and nothing worked until I used an antifungal foot cream for about two weeks and then after that i used olive oil as a moisturizer."
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BANDAID, EMERY BOARD, MOISTURIZE
[YEA] 12/29/2008: Peter from Belen, New Mexico writes: "What works for me for Cracked Heels is the following: First, I'll cover the crack(s) with a band aid to alleviate discomfort. Then, while showering, I use the coarse side of a foot Emery Board until the skin around the cracks is no longer calloused or hard; I then rub the area carefully with the smooth side. Finally, after the shower, I try to leave that area a little damp and use a non-fragrant body moisturizer from the health food store if the crack is not too sensitive - otherwise, a band aid again. As a followup, I try to maintain this area with moisturizer and periodic use of the emery board. I've been doing this for several years with good results. I hope this helps.
What I haven't been able to do is heal the cracked tip of my finger or thumb. I'll try the vinegar and see if that helps. The band aid therapy works, but I want to eliminate the cause, whatever that may be..."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 05/17/2008: Anna from Elk Grove, CA writes: "Dry Cracked Heels: This remedy sounds odd but works. A friend told me her dermatologist recommened crisco shortening for her cracked heels. She said it worked great so I tried it and my feet are softer, better than any lotions I use. Cheap too."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 10/07/2009: Ebryant from Tampa, Fl writes: "I am 32 years old and have suffered with dry, cracked heels (sometimes bleeding and extremely painful) for years. BUT NO MORE!!!!
Take it from me, if you want soft feet, here is what you do:
Every Night until there are no more cracks:
1)Take a foot file (looks like fine grit sand paper on a paddle) and rub it over your dry heels in order to sand off all the dead dry skin.
2)Soak your feed in a pan of hot water with about 1/4 peroxide or ACV (whichever you have on hand or whichever you prefer).
3)Once the skin on your feet has softenend up, gently exfoliate your entire foot with some type of foot scrub (sea salt and olive oil, brown sugar, borax... whatever you like).
4)Rinse your feet well and while they are still damp massage your feet with V***'s Vapo-Rub. Wrap your feet in saran-wrap and put on a pair of socks.
I always do this in the evening and go to bed with my feet all wrapped up. I enjoy the warming tingle of the menthol/eucalyptus from the rub as I fall off to sleep. And in the morning I wake up to baby soft feet!!! Once your cracked HEELS are HEALED, lol... you will need to continue the treatment 1-3 times a week."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 07/12/2009: Mo from Battle Ground, WA writes: "soaked feet nightly in drugstore strength hydrogren peroxide until cracks were healed."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 06/28/2009: Gean from Salina, Kansas writes: "My mom, who is 62 and has had severely cracked heels for as long as I can remember, started spraying herself with magnesium oil (magnesium chloride). Within a couple of weeks her heels were completely smooth.
I also gave some magnesium oil to a friend in her late 40's. After 1-2 weeks of spraying in on her body, she got "baby feet". She had had very cracked heels.
Neither of these ladies sprayed it on their feet, just on body once daily after a shower. We did not know it would have this effect, but they are very happy about this!"
06/30/2009: Kelly from Anywhere, USA replies: "this may sound a little crazy but, i've used this remedy and it works. Every winter my joints in my hands (palm+outside knuckle) would crack so deep that you could see the muscle (red). So I took some ___ lip balm (the liquid w/ the slant applicator for lips)and put it on the crack with a bandaid and it would be healed by morning. previously, I had tried every cream from cheap to expensive but nothing worked as well as that. I hope this helps, it could'nt hurt. God Bless!!"
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NEEM SOAP, LUGOL'S IODINE FOR CRACKED HEELS
[YEA] 07/15/2008: Harrison from Boulder, Colorado writes: "Cracked heels can be cured by first cleaning out the wound with a good neem soap and a q-tip. Then dry the area carefully and add 2 drops of Lugol's iodine to the sore and a glob of aloe vera gel. Cover with a bandage. Repeat once a day. The problem is gone within a week."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 07/11/2006: Kitty from Clatskanie, OR writes: "We have a group of people doing this procedure on curezone.com
http://curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=738
also www.oilpulling.com has info
There isn't a lot of information on it, in english anyway. It's excellent for dental health with results within days if not hours. It's truly amazing!!! One lady had 3 #9 pockets plus numerous 8, 7, 6 and 5s. After Oil Pulling for 5 minutes a day for two months, she went to the dentist with 2 #7 pockets at worst.
I've been doing it for a few months now. I had gone to the dentist because of problems with a couple deep pockets. He was going to send me to a periodontist for possle surgery. Then I found out about oil pulling. I had posted on the dental forum at curezone and someone mentioned the oil pulling. After a couple days of doing it my gums felt much better. Now after about 3 months my gums are so much better, my teeth are markedly whiter, my mouth feels clean and gums healthy. My cracked heels are almost cured as well (go figure that). I have less aches and pains. It used to be difficult climbing the stairs and getting up my feet would hurt, but I feel much better all around. It's a crazy thing to do but it's fantastic. It's so simple and inexpensive. I use refined expeller pressed (Hain brand) sunflower oil. I also started adding a few drops of oil of oregano, which has anti bacterial properties. Check us out at curezone! Kitty"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 01/18/2009: Bev from Long Beach, CA/USA writes: "I suffered for years from cracked heels. Felt as though I was walking on glass fragments. Nothing topical worked for me. I started taking fish, flaxseed, and borage oil combination (purchased at wal-mart, spring valley brand, 1200 mg per softgel). Within months my heels had closed up and I haven't had a problem since. Hopes this helps others."
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[YEA] 06/11/2008: Maria from Cape Town, South Africa writes: "cure for cracked heels and hands
heat one cup of parafin in an old pot on stove at very low tempersture. wait till it nearly boil and break two white wax candles in pieces and add to parrafin, when wax is melted. take off stove and wait till it has cooled down. use cream to rub on hands and feet.the best cure ever for feet and dry skin problems. you can either use it at night because of the smell (some people might nt like the smell of parafin) or you can use it as often as you like during the day.y ou can the wash your hands and feet with normal soap
i am fifty one years old my mom used it to keep our feet healthy and up till today i used it on my self and my children and anybody with problem hands and feet
THANK YOU FOR A FANTASTIC SITE
11/10/2008: Vonda from Bailey, CO replies: "Maria From Cape Town South Africa: I have very dry feet with cracked heels and need help. I tried this remedy but must have done something wrong. When the parafin and the candle wax got hard, it's as hard as it was before I melted it. I thought perhaps it would be rather soft and creamy for some reason. HELP!
I LOVE this website!"
01/21/2009: Maria from Cape Town, South Africa replies: "the ingredients and method is exactly like my mom made it maybe you should use only one candle on one cup of parafin. I can gaurentee that it will help you. Regards maria.Remember to use ordinary white wax candles."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 09/10/2008: Linsa from Columbus, Ohio writes: "I used to have horrible, painful cracked heel especially in the summer. I bought the ped egg and it was so nasty how much dead skin it shaved off. I put virgin coconut oil on them and I have wonderfully smooth feet (all summer long!)"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 06/11/2008: Julie from Seattle, WA writes: "re: Fissures (Cracked Feet) -- I get painful fissures on my feet; sometimes so bad that I can barely walk. Lately, I've been using raw (must be raw) honey on them at night. Slather liberally and put on cotton socks. In the morning, my feet are soft and usually the fissures are gone in 1-3 days."
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1 BETTER BUT NOT CURED
[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 03/19/2009: CYNTHIA from FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS writes: "DRY/CRACKED SKIN: My heels have been dry for years and I get a thick build up of dry skin and deep painful cracks in the winter. The only thing I found that helps the cracks heal together quickly and alleviates the pain is, believe it or not, super Glue. I just squirt some inside the crack and hold it closed for a minute. A retired military man told me this is what they use on cuts when the soldiers are in the field and they can't get back to medical treatment quickly. It won't cure the problem though. I have tried just about everything to cure the problem and have only been successful in finding softening agents. One remedy I found was Johnson's foot soap, I get it at a major retail store. There are several packets in the box. Before I get started I always gather a towel and my pumice stone and anything else I need. I open a packet and dump it into water that is as hot as I can stand it. Then I pour in about a cup of salt, sometimes I add ACV, and sit and watch tv with my feet soaking. After 20 or so minutes I start working on one foot while the other is still soaking. After I get the dead, dry skin off my feet I soak them in Virgin Coconut Oil. After the first application of coconut oil has soaked in I repeat it. Then right before I go to bed I re-apply. This, combined with using my pumice evry couple days and re-applying the coconut oil keeps my feet soft and smooth for a while. I think the build up of dead skin is hereditary and wonder if there is a cure. Does anyone out there know what will stop my feet from cracking open? This year my right thumb has also cracked open and is painful."
03/19/2009: Sheila from Los Angeles, CA replies: "I am also working on cracked heels. I have heard it is fungus related. I am having some luck with oil of oregano externally. Need to be more diligent about taking internal fungus remedies though... I have been stopping and starting for a year now."
03/20/2009: Renate from Parrish, FL, USA replies: "I have the same problem with my heals. I use flax seed oil or hemp oil 1 tbl. per day. When I stop, the dry cracked heals return. Once they are in good shape, I reduce the oil useage. I make a smoothie in a blender and add it to that, but you can incorporate the oil in salads etc. Interesting about the fungus part - I'll have to do some research on that. Thanks. I hope this helps."
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VINEGAR, SHOES AND SOCKS IN THE FREEZER
[YEA] 03/29/2008: Robin from New Mexico, USA writes: "I was reading the oil pulling pages, and saw that so many people were plagued with cracking heels, and I felt bad because I know how to make it go away. You just put vinegar on the cracked heel everyday for 6 months without missing a day, and place your socks and shoes in the freezer for 24-48 hours from time to time. This will also heal nail fungus, itchy ears, athletes foot, and dandruff, (just put it on a little while before shampoo-ing, then rinse with vinegar/water dilute). Anything yeasty where you can stand to put vinegar. You of course would have to dilute it to treat vaginal yeast infections"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 12/30/2008: Donna from Riverside, USA writes: "I know that circulation problems is an issue with certain diseases like Diabetes & Hypothyroidism. I use to have a problem walking & had really cracked heals until I started taking vitamin B12. VitB12 helps with circulation problem. My feet does not hurt when walking anymore and the cracks in my feet has healed."
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